Magnolia grandiflora

Common Names

Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Big Laurel, Evergreen Magnolia, Loblolly Magnolia

Summary

Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a large evergreen native to the southeastern United States. It typically grows 60–80 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide, with a dense pyramidal to rounded crown, glossy dark green leaves, and very fragrant, creamy white flowers that reach 8–12 inches in diameter. After flowering, it produces cone-like fruit with bright red seeds that attract wildlife. Cultivation and landscape use: it prefers full sun to partial shade and rich, moist, well-drained soils that are acidic to slightly alkaline; tolerates clay, loam, and sand and is hardy in USDA zones 7–9, with some cultivars hardy to 6. Commonly used as a specimen plant, hedge, or screen and valued for ornamental and shade in warm temperate to subtropical regions. Maintenance includes regular watering during establishment, mulching, and pruning after flowering; leaf and fruit litter can be a nuisance, and pruning should avoid heavy removal of lower limbs. Pests are relatively limited but scales and the magnolia borer can occur; propagation is possible by seed, cuttings, or grafting.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

60-80 feet

Spread

30-40 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6–10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates full sun in moist, rich soils.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, acidic loamy soil with a pH of 5.0–6.5.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-6.5, Acidic soil, Tolerates slightly alkaline conditions

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Glossy dark green foliage

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color change; leaves remain green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate growth; about 12-24 inches per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Grafting and Budding

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts beetles, Attracts birds